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July 8

In now: Queensland’s Lockyer Valley is our winter food bowl. The area produces 95% of Australia’s winter vegetables. At the peak of the season 250 semis are loaded up every night with cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbages, beetroot, celery, pumpkin and onions for the drive south. One of Australia’s organic pioneers is the Bauer farm in the Lockyer Valley. As of this month Sydney cooks can buy organic produce from Bauer, mail-order.

At its best: Corella pears grown on the outside of the tree develop ruby red skins in response to sunlight. They glow like Christmas baubles. Find them at the Banana Bar stall in the EQ markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Say hello to Michael.

Best buy: There are leek bargains around. Braise in butter and lemon as a side dish, or cook into flamiche, the classic French leek tart. Here’s a Patricia Wells recipe to try.